Sushi restaurateur Jonathan Levy is seeking legal advice after city councillors refused him permission to open new premises in Oxford's Covered Market.
Jonathan Levy with his wife Yoshie Katayama at their Gashi Gashi restaurant in Cowley Road
On October 21, at the council's executive board, councillors decided to reassign the lease of Unit 130, now being used by David Torjussen butchers.
Mr Levy, who runs the Gashi Gashi restaurant in Cowley Road, and John Farries, of Bicester-based toy model shop Automodels Ltd, both applied to take over the lease.
Mr Farries was told by councillors that his application had been successful.
A disappointed Mr Levy said afterwards: "The whole process was a farce, and I'll be seeking legal advice regarding the decision.
"The council's policy on what the Covered Market should be used for was not made at all clear and myself and the other applicant were only given the opportunity to ask councillors questions. We were not given the chance to present our cases."
But executive member for property Bob Price said councillors wanted to maintain a "vibrant Covered Market with a diverse range of shops".
He said: "The council would not want the market to degenerate into a shopping-mall style foodcourt.
"Too many takeaways would destroy the market character."
He agreed with Mr Levy that there should be an opportunity for both parties to make a case to the executive.
Mr Price said he would ask if changes could be made.
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